Director, AI for Education & Workforce

Job Summary

The Director, AI for Education and Workforce leads AI strategy for the ASAS program in Jordan and supports IREX’s global AI initiatives through leadership, partnerships, and business development. This role focuses on strategy and program leadership rather than software engineering.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior technical expert on AI in education for ASAS, advising on policy, governance, and responsible AI adoption.
• Develop and guide the strategic vision for AI in ASAS, establishing it as Jordan’s leading program for responsible AI in early-grade education aligned with U.S. Department of State and IREX priorities.
• Advise on AI policy, sequencing, and investment to align with program goals, institutional readiness, evidence, and sustainability.
• Define the evidence and learning strategy to ensure AI activities produce credible, policy-relevant outcomes rather than isolated pilots.
• Lead AI readiness efforts with Jordanian universities focusing on teacher preparation and faculty development within a systems-level framework.
• Identify and manage strategic risks including regulatory changes, vendor lock-in, donor-implementation gaps, and reputational risks from premature AI deployment.
• Evaluate the impact of ASAS’s AI initiatives and translate findings into use cases and case studies for communication and business development.
• Represent ASAS and IREX at regional and global AI-in-education forums, contributing to policy and thought leadership in the Middle East and North Africa.

Must haves

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in education, workforce development, public policy, technology, organizational transformation, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in education, workforce, digital transformation, AI adoption, or related areas.
• Ability to translate AI concepts into practical strategies and institutional solutions for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience in business development and partnerships with donors, governments, foundations, companies, universities, or technology organizations.
• Strong understanding of responsible AI and its effects on workforce transitions, institutional capacity, and learning.
• Proven cross-functional leadership and excellent communication, facilitation, and public representation skills in diverse settings.

Nice to haves

• Experience with international and emerging-market education and workforce systems.
• Experience leading AI readiness, digital transformation, educator development, workforce-skilling, or institutional capacity initiatives.
• Relevant networks and experience producing evidence or thought leadership for senior and external audiences.
• Extensive experience working in the Middle East and North Africa, especially in GCC countries, with strong knowledge of regional education, workforce systems, institutional landscapes, and policy contexts.

What the company offers

• Competitive base salary ranges depending on location, with additional location-specific benefits such as health coverage, flight allowances, and end-of-service gratuities in MENA, and comprehensive benefits including health/dental insurance and 401(k) matching in Washington, D.C.
• Opportunities for learning, development, and growth within a mission-driven, collaborative environment.
• Supportive benefits package designed to promote overall well-being.
• Eligibility for localized allowances and statutory benefits in UAE and Amman.
• Periodic domestic and international travel as required.

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